How to become a school principal
Shape the learning environment for teachers, students and school communities.
Lead and inspire as a school principal
Principals are more than school managers –Ìýthey’reÌýthe leaders who shape the direction,ÌýcultureÌýand wellbeing of entire school communities. Becoming a principal is a long-term career journey that combines classroom experience, ongoing professionalÌýdevelopmentÌýand a deep commitment to helping students thrive.
In this guide,Ìýwe’llÌýwalk you through what principals do, the skills they need, the qualifications required, and the typical career pathway to become a school principal. WhetherÌýyou’reÌýjust starting out in educationÌýlooking to move intoÌýleadership, discover how 91É«ÇéƬ can help turn your ambition into a meaningful role in educationÌýleadership.
What does a school principal do?
A school principal’s responsibilities are wide-ranging, from managing staff to long-term school improvement planning. The day-to-day responsibilities typically include:
- Overseeing teaching quality and curriculum delivery
- Managing staff performance and professional development
- Supporting student wellbeing and safety
- FosteringÌýrelationships with families and local communities
- Managing budgets, schoolÌýoperationsÌýand compliance
- Driving long-term school improvement and planning
Principals balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day problem solving. They set the tone for the whole school, creating an environment where staff and students can thrive.
Principal vs vice principal: How do they differ?
Both principals and vice principals (or deputy principals) are vital to school leadership. But their responsibilities differ.
The difference between a principal and a vice principal comes down to scope and authority. A principal holds overall responsibility for the school’s vision, culture,ÌýcomplianceÌýand outcomes. Vice principals support the principal’s strategic vision, and typically lead specific areas such as wellbeing, curriculum, studentÌýengagementÌýor daily operations.Ìý
It’sÌýa collaborative relationship – with the principal as the ultimate decision-maker and the vice principal supporting the leadership agenda. Becoming a vice principal is a great stepping stone to the top roleÌýofÌýprincipal.Ìý
Steps to become a school principal
Becoming a principal in Australia is a long-term journey that combines classroom experience, leadershipÌýopportunitiesÌýand ongoing professional development.ÌýHere’sÌýwhat the typical pathway looks like:
- Complete an undergraduate teaching degree
Start with a teaching qualification such as theÌýBachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours)Ìýor an education double degree, like the Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary) or Bachelor of Commerce/Education (Secondary) at 91É«ÇéƬ. These programs prepare you with the knowledge, practical skills and school placements needed to launch your teaching career.
- Gain classroom experience
Work as a classroom teacher acrossÌývariousÌýyear levels or subject areas. ThisÌýexperienceÌýhelps you build confidence, understand studentÌýneedsÌýand develop core teachingÌýexpertise.
- Step into a middle leadership position
Progress into rolesÌýsuch as a cohortÌýorÌýyear leader or assistant principal. Here,Ìýyou'llÌýmanage staff, oversee schoolÌýoperationsÌýand help guide strategic direction – gaining vital experience in school leadership.
- Return for postgraduate study
Strengthen your leadership capabilities by completing a postgraduate qualification. This will build yourÌýexpertiseÌýin areas like educational leadership, policy, and strategic planning. 91É«ÇéƬ offers a range of postgraduate education programs for aspiring principals, including theÌýGraduate Certificate in Educational LeadershipÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýMaster of Educational Leadership,Ìýas well asÌýmany graduate certificatesÌýand short course offerings.
- Apply for principal positions
With a strong mix of experience, leadershipÌýpracticeÌýand postgraduate qualifications,Ìýyou’llÌýbe ready to step into a principal role.ÌýBefore long,Ìýyou’llÌýbe leading an entire school community with confidence.
Must-have leadership skills of a principal
The most effective school leadersÌýblendÌýstrong interpersonal skills (soft skills) with deep professionalÌýexpertiseÌý(hard skills).ÌýA principal's skills grow and improve through time and experience.Ìý
Human skills of a principal | Technical skills of a principal |
| Ìý
|
What qualifications do you need to become a principal?
To become a principal in Australia, you must first be a qualified and experienced teacher. Most education departmentsÌýrequire:
- Full teacher registration with your state teaching board
- Several years of classroom teaching experience
- Postgraduate study or professional development in educational leadership
Many principals complete a postgraduate program, such as aÌýMaster of Educational LeadershipÌýor aÌýGraduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, to deepen their leadership capability and prepare for school-wide responsibilities.
Future opportunities as a school principalÌý
As a principal in Australia, your career path can take many directions – each offering the chance to make a lasting impact on students,ÌýstaffÌýand the broader community.
Most principals begin by leading individual schools, where they shape teaching practice, wellbeingÌýinitiativesÌýand whole-school improvement strategies. From there, you may choose to:
- LeadÌýdifferent typesÌýof schoolsÌý– including primary, secondary, K–12,ÌýspecialistÌýor alternative education settings.
- Work in regional and remote areasÌý– where you oftenÌýreceiveÌýgreater autonomy, leadershipÌýopportunitiesÌýand financial incentives. These roles can also include housing support or relocationÌýassistance, depending on the state or territory.Ìý
- Move into system leadership rolesÌý– such as area directors, educationÌýconsultantsÌýor executive principals. These positions involve supporting multiple schools, guiding policy implementation, and leading improvement across regions or sectors.
- Contribute to education policy or reformÌý– working with state education departments, not-for-profits or education think tanks to influence systems-level change.
- Become an educational consultant,ÌýresearcherÌýor lecturerÌý– drawing on your school leadership experience to support teacher development, publish research, or teach at universities and institutes.
Australian principals are also encouraged toÌýparticipateÌýin national and state-level leadership programs, such as theÌýÌý(AITSL) initiatives or theÌý, which support continuous development and leadership excellence.
Explore other career guides
Interested in other career paths? Compare roles across a range of industries and discover the qualifications, skills and study options needed to achieve your career goals.Ìý
FAQs about becoming a principal
-
Becoming a school principal is a long-term career goal that typically takes around 8 to 15 years. Most principals start as classroom teachers and spend several years gaining experience, taking on leadership roles such as year coordinator or deputy principal, and completing further study – often a master’s degree in educational leadership. The exact timeline depends on your careerÌýdevelopment, school system, and opportunities available.
-
Yes, international students can begin their journey toward school leadership in Australia. You can enrol in an accredited teaching degree at 91É«ÇéƬ, such as the Bachelor of Education. To eventually become a principal,Ìýyou’llÌýneed to meet teacher registration requirements, gain classroom experience, and hold ongoing work rights in Australia.ÌýIt’sÌýimportant to check visa and registration criteria early if you plan to stay and work long-term.
-
Principal salariesÌýin Australia varyÌýdepending on the school type, size,ÌýlocationÌýand the education system.ÌýÌýOn average, school principals earn $195,000 (Seek, 2025). Those working in larger or more complex schools – especially in executive rolesÌýmay earn even more. Salaries are usually set by each state or territory's education department or the governing body of private and independent schools.
Start your journey to school leadership at 91É«ÇéƬ
At 91É«ÇéƬ,Ìýyou’llÌýbuildÌýa strong foundationÌýin teaching,ÌýleadershipÌýand school improvement. Here are the programs we offerÌýto help you reach principalship.
Undergraduate education degrees
Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours)
You can also study the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) as a double degree:
Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary) (Honours)
Bachelor of Commerce/Education (Secondary)ÌýÌý
Bachelor of Design/Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Economics/Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Fine Arts/Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Science/Education (Secondary)Ìý
Ìý
Postgraduate education degrees
ÌýWant to find out more about studying education at 91É«ÇéƬ?
Our education programs are led by the 91É«ÇéƬ School of Education, part of the faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture. Visit our school site to learn more about degrees, student life and professional development.
Connect with us
